Edinburgh Whisky Distilleries Worth Visiting This Year
From the old town to the new, via the city's coastal countryside, these are five Edinburgh whisky distilleries and experiences worth visiting this year.
Written by: Lesley Stewart
The Scottish capital might not have the whisky prestige of, say, the Highlands or Islay, but for whisky-curious travellers, there are some excellent whisky experiences to be found amongst the city’s cobbled streets.
In fact, we think Edinburgh’s distilleries and whisky attractions are a genuine highlight of any city itinerary.
In recent years, a new wave of urban distilleries has opened within the city itself, alongside immersive whisky experiences, walking tours, stylish whisky bars, and boutique bottle shops.
The result is a buzzy, approachable whisky scene that blends tradition with innovation, and makes exploring Scotland’s national drink surprisingly easy.
Throw in a classic countryside distillery just beyond the city, palace-worthy drams, and rooftop whisky cocktails with castle views, and you’ve got one of the most enjoyable whisky cities in Scotland.
This is our guide to the best Edinburgh whisky distilleries and whisky experiences to visit.
Quick Guide: Best Edinburgh Whisky Distilleries
Glenkinchie Distillery: The closest traditional distillery to Edinburgh, located just outside the city in East Lothian; book here.
Holyrood Distillery: A modern, experimental working distillery at the foot of the Royal Mile; book here.
Port of Leith Distillery: Scotland’s first vertical distillery, set on Edinburgh’s revitalised waterfront; book here.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street: A high-tech, flavour-led whisky experience showcasing blends from across Scotland, book here.
The Scotch Whisky Experience: A long-established tasting and education experience beside Edinburgh Castle; book here.
Note: The latter two on the list aren’t distilleries. However, they’re included as they offer tasting experiences and storytelling that bridge the gap for travellers who want to taste widely without travelling further afield.
Edinburgh’s Best Whisky Distilleries
Glenkinchie Distillery
Glenkinchie is often described as “The Edinburgh Malt,” though it actually sits around 15 miles east of the city in rolling East Lothian farmland.
One of Jonnhie Walker’s ‘Four Corners of Scotland’ distilleries, this is a classic whisky distillery experience: traditional stone buildings, two fat old copper pot stills, and the largest wash still in the industry.
If you’re keen to see a more conventional distillery and don’t mind a short trip, this is the most authentic option near the capital.
We think this is the closest distillery experience to something you’d find in the Highlands, and it reminded us of visiting Clynelish on the NC500 and Talisker on the Isle of Skye.
The other difference between Glenkinchie and those in Edinburgh itself is the calm, unhurried pace here that feels very different from city-based tours.
Dating back to 1825, the red-hued distillery is a Victorian masterpiece that offers an idyllic rural experience for guests travelling from the capital. Glenkinchie’s landscaped gardens are packed full of wild flowers, grasses, and beehives, while fields of barley are endlessly mesmerising, as well as the glens, fields and farms of the East Lothian countryside.
Don’t forget to pop into the oh-so-stylish cafe-bar, which is worth a day trip in itself.
Where to find it:
Pencaitland, East Lothian. Glenkinchie isn’t walkable from Edinburgh, but it’s easily reached by car, taxi, or tour bus.
Tip: Book our private tours and combine a visit here with a morning in the nearby historic town of North Berwick; expect coastal walks, chic cafes, and plenty of sea air.
Tours and tastings:
Tours typically include a guided walk through the production areas, an explanation of Lowland whisky styles (light and floral), and a tasting of Glenkinchie expressions in the bar or private rooms.
We enjoyed the FlavourJourney (£21 per adult), but there are cask and rare expressions for a deeper experience and a more extensive tasting.
Holyrood Distillery
Holyrood Distillery is Edinburgh’s first single malt distillery in nearly 100 years and feels very much part of the city’s modern food and drink scene.
The focus here is experimentation: different barley strains, yeast varieties, and cask types all play a role in shaping future releases. Tours are informative without being overly technical and are particularly well-suited to visitors who enjoy learning how flavour is created, rather than just tasting the end product.
Tours and tastings:
Standard distillery tours start at around £27 per adult, with more in-depth tastings and specialist tours available at a higher price point. Our favourite option is this exceptional whisky & gin tour, which includes a welcome cocktail, samples, and a tasting, along with a fully guided tour. Be sure to book in advance to guarantee your spot.
Where to find it:
St Leonards, just a short walk from the Royal Mile and Holyrood Park. It’s easy to combine a visit here with sightseeing in the Old Town or a walk up Arthur’s Seat.
Port of Leith Distillery
Port of Leith Distillery is easily one of the most distinctive whisky venues in Scotland. Built vertically across multiple floors, it offers panoramic views over the Firth of Forth alongside a detailed look at modern urban distilling.
Where to find it:
Leith Docks, within Edinburgh’s waterfront regeneration area. It pairs well with lunch or dinner in Leith, one of the city’s strongest neighbourhoods for food and drink.
Tours and tastings:
Tours typically cost around £30 per adult and last around 1.5 hours. Our recommendation is this fantastic tour and tasting, which combines production insight with storytelling about Leith’s historic role as a port for whisky and wine. And of course, a whisky tasting along with a mini new-make spirit to take home.
That said, we loved the contemporary, buzzy bar for a DIY whisky flight and found the bar staff incredibly knowledgeable (plus the views from the top-floor bar are sensational).
Johnnie Walker Princes Street (Whisky Experience)
Not a distillery, but Johnnie Walker Princes Street is easily one of the most engaging whisky experiences in Edinburgh - and one we genuinely loved.
Rather than focusing on production, the experience centres on flavour, storytelling, immersive exhibits, and personal preference. What really sets this experience apart, though, is just how interactive it is. Honestly, it is so much fun!
It’s confident, contemporary, and refreshingly free of the old-fashioned rules that so often surround how whisky “should” be enjoyed.
It’s an excellent choice for beginners or groups looking for something well organised and lively, but not too serious.
Where to find it:
Princes Street, directly opposite Edinburgh Castle. You can’t miss it, and it’s incredibly convenient if you’re staying centrally. Add an afternoon visit to your city centre itinerary.
Tours and tastings:
You’ll explore your own flavour profile, taste a dram that matches it, and even enjoy a well-crafted whisky cocktail in immersive, design-led tasting rooms. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but expect bubbles, light shows, and some terrifically entertaining bartenders.
The Journey of Flavour experience costs around £28 per adult, and more advanced tastings and rooftop bar add-ons are also available. Tours frequently sell out, but you can book your ticket in advance to guarantee your experience.
The Scotch Whisky Experience
Another whisky experience, The Scotch Whisky Experience is a calm, heritage-led alternative to Edinburgh’s more high-energy whisky attractions. Set just off the Royal Mile beside Edinburgh Castle, it’s easy to slot into a day of sightseeing.
The experience focuses on whisky history, regions, and traditional production, making it a good fit for visitors who want a structured, informative introduction to Scotch rather than something overtly interactive or theatrical.
We’d say it moves at a gentler pace and tends to appeal to those who prefer a quieter, more serious take on whisky.
Add in a well-curated whisky shop and its central Old Town location, and The Scotch Whisky Experience remains a solid, convenient choice for a heritage-focused whisky stop in Edinburgh.
Where to find it:
Right beside Edinburgh Castle. It’s ideally placed for first-time visitors exploring the Royal Mile and Old Town.
Tours and tastings:
The Standard Silver Tour is around £24 per adult; however, we recommend the Gold Tour Package. Though it’s a higher price, the extended tastings are more than worth it. You can choose and book your spot here.
While the tasting area can feel busy at peak times and would benefit from a more modern, acoustically comfortable setting, the highlight is unquestionably the Claive Vidiz Scotch Whisky Collection. The glass-walled room of hundreds of rare and historic bottles is genuinely impressive and worth seeing in its own right.
Edinburgh Whisky Distillery FAQs
Which Edinburgh Distillery Should You Choose?
If you want to visit a modern working distillery within easy reach of the city centre, prioritise Holyrood Distillery or the Port of Leith Distillery. Both offer contemporary takes on Scotch whisky and are straightforward to fit into an Edinburgh itinerary.
If time is limited, or you’d like to sample whiskies from across Scotland without leaving the city, the Johnnie Walker Experience and The Scotch Whisky Experience are excellent alternatives, each offering guided tastings and whisky education without the need to travel.
If you’re keen to visit a more traditional distillery that combines craft and heritage with contemporary style and don’t mind heading beyond the city, Glenkinchie Distillery is the clear choice.
For many travellers, the ideal Edinburgh whisky itinerary includes one of each: a working distillery to understand how whisky is made, paired with a curated tasting experience that opens up the wider whisky landscape.
